Young people are facing the most challenging job market in decades, according
to research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

The foundation found that since the recession the job market had become increasingly competitive, with fewer vacancies, which were filled more quickly.

In a study examining three contrasting job markets in England and Wales, the foundation sent out 2,001 job applications by relatively well-qualified fictional candidates for 667 real jobs and found that most employers did not respond.

The study also found there were between 24 and 66 unemployed people for every retail vacancy, depending on the supply of jobs in different areas.

As part of its study the foundation searched for job vacancies requiring limited education and skills in the three local job markets over ten months.

It found 76pc were part time, or had non-standard hours, or both, while 78pc paid less than £7 per hour (under the ‘living wage’) and 54pc paid the minimum wage, which the foundation said made it less likely that jobseekers could travel for them.

As part of the study the foundation also interviewed employers, labour market intermediaries and disadvantaged young jobseekers.

When speaking to jobseekers it found that seven out of ten applications - all good applications for the vacancies – heard nothing back and no feedback was “the norm”.

However, the foundation said the experiment revealed that good applications succeed eventually.

Typically, the research found, the fictional candidates received a positive response (an interview or request for more information) by about their fourth application, although experiences varied from success on the first attempt to over 50 applications before receiving a positive response.

When speaking to employers it found they preferred local candidates, so even though it suggests jobseekers search beyond their immediate neighbourhood, policies demanding wider geographical searches will not necessarily get more people into work.

“Young people tend to be disproportionately disadvantaged during economic crisis, and the current context presents the most challenging labour market for them in recent decades,” the report said.